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Hi "Losing for me" Thank you so much for your reply. I would love to get together and chat or a coffee. I am open to both. I live in rural Onoway area. Let me know when you are available to chat. Evenings work best for me....I will be out of the country for a week and back on the 17th. Mondays and Wednesday evenings work best for me for chatting. Were you banded in Edmonton? Congradulations on your incrediable weight loss. I am so looking forward to a "new healthy me"

Good afternoon all! Thanks so much for taking the time to offer advise and encouragement. Linda, at least I know I am not the only one on earth with a large liver. Surely that gives us an advantage in someway! At least my surgeon didn't have to contend with an extra renal vein across my stomach..I'll have to tell him that he should be thankful for that:tongue2: Donna and Naughty, I appreciate your comments and am following your advise. One thing that has really helped is drinking more and making sure I get some good food in me. In fact, I have felt better today than at any time in this 3 week ordeal!! Thanks again.

I lost 9 lbs in 2 weeks but, then after I got where I could eat I gained 5 of it back. Now, I am 6 wks post op and first fill and starting to lose again. I am going to have for another fill when I start eating more. Hope it helps ya and good luck on your journey.

Hey, I understand what you're talking about. I was banded the same day as you, and up until a couple days ago was down 17lbs (including the loss on the pre-op diet). Well I saw my first little gain yesterday (I started mushies on the 25th) and of course I freaked out, since I was used to the downward trend over the past 3 weeks!!! I KNOW that this first month is for healing, and pre-banding it sounded logical. BUT I can't help but get worried, especially since I'm feeling 100% again, that this will be just a temporary fix, and all the weight will come back. Just keep reminding youself (as I do) of what you know, how this process will go. I know I have to give myself a mental check a couple times a day. I guess this freak out session is just part of the process....it'll soon pass.

Hello my lapband family, I know I haven't been on here in gods knows when but let me tell yall of my progress. First off I'm down to a happy 195. I know I can't believe it either. I now work out 5 to 6 days a week and have fell in love with it :wub: . I love it so much I crave for it when I have to miss a day crazy I know. Also I'm really learning how to eat I'm still not perfect and I have some pit falls but I'm still a work in progress none the less. Well I hope to update more often until then have a good day.

Good luck .....I am due to be banded in 2 weeks (Sept 7) and I have been very anxious with a nervous stomach. Would like to stay in touch with you with your progress.

NEVER being able to lose with the band would require a complete medical workup with a doc, a detailed food journal, etc... Having a band is a very small part of the journey... my best friend and I were talking about it and she was like "You have it cause it makes you accountable right?" and at the beginning, it does help with that... but as you continue in your journey, for me, it is NOT an accountability thing anymore, cause I just have my full feeling and am ready to stop eating cause I am satisfied... You MUST have a TRUE commitment to the band. A true commitment is NOT just eating till you are full. You have to follow some rules. The most important eating rule FOR ME is NOT to eat and drink simultaneously. PERIOD. I can FEEL the food wash through the band with the drink... Anyone who is trying to lose and is eating and drinking together is self-sabotaging. Whether they want to admit it or not. You also MUST maintain a commitment to do the follow ups with your doc. If you are not losing at the 1-2 pounds/week rate (accepting an occasional plateau) you need to first look at that food diary, and second make an appt with your doc. A fill too much or too little will make it MUCH harder to lose and maintain that loss. I am down 53 pounds and it is NOT a fast journey anymore... but I am doing the right things and losing slowly but surely. I look better than I have in a LONG time... My mom congratulated me and I did that "Aw shucks, I don't deserve it, I had help" line and my mom was like "WAIT! Katy! You DO deserve congrats. You made a commitment to your health and you've done it. Many people go get the band and don't do the work to get where they need to go, but you've been consistent and bought into your success" and that is true. I have. So, every pound I lose, every size I drop, I raise a glass of sparkling water and orange juice and toast myself. Because I DO deserve congrats for doing my work...

My surgeon cleared me to start introducing salad back in at around the 10th week. I made one using spinach, which I tore into super small pieces. I added in some feta cheese, 1-2 chopped grape tomatoes, 2-3 crumbled pecans, a little fresh avocado and some fat free raspberry vinegarette. It was the tiniest salad I had ever seen. It was almost comical. It was SO delicious. I ate it very, very slowly along with some chicken. What was unbelievable to me was how full I got so quickly. I couldn't even finish my tiny salad. I had enough left over for lunch the next day. My stomach handled it just fine. That was about a week and a half ago. Tonight I came in from traveling across state and was starving. I made another tiny salad with spinach, about 1.5oz chicken, 2 grape tomatoes, 2 chopped pecans and feta. I also added 3 pods of sugar snap peas and 2 pickled okra. I didn't even finish half of it and my stomach told me that I had overeaten. Now I'm uncomfortable. I noticed that this time I ate a lot faster, so I wasn't taking time to pay attention to my stomach's signals. It wasn't the salad itself, it was me rushing. No throwing up, though. Just feeling like a stuffed, bellyaching puppy.

I find that I can eat anything again so I thought since I had not been adjusted for two years that I needed a fill. I went yesterday and nothing had leaked out in fact I almost have my 4cc band almost completely full. I think I have stretched my pouch. How do I undo the damage. Will being on liquids for three days do the trick?

Flowers, she stated that she is still on the 2 week post-op liquid diet! She is not to have anything other than liquids! It sounds like you are further along than that. Especially if you've already gone for a fill (I'm sorry your first fill didn't work for you :tt1: ). I'm so glad you didn't eat the sandwich sooner although you felt you could have. It's so important to follow the surgeon's guidelines. This stage before the first fill is for healing ONLY! NOT losing weight. Once we've healed and start getting fills THEN we can start worrying about losing some of these pounds we're hauling around. Unfortunately, I'm continuing on my shake diet for the 2 weeks after surgery (had to do them for 10 days before surgery). Although being only just banded on Monday, the shakes are fine right now. Come next week, I might change my mind! :thumbup: Flowers, I hope your next fill is better for you. I've heard that it can sometimes take awhile for the fills to start working. Sometime 4 or 5 before restriction happens. Hang in there! Sassymama, thanks for the warning. Crackers seem so benign. I'm hoping you feel better soon. Take care. And no more crackers!!

ohh goodness! welcome to bandster hell! My first few weeks of phase 3 i really took things easy. I was nervous about new "real" foods. I had chopped up turkey..ham..any type of pureed meat. I had alot of scrambled eggs, cottage cheese..that kind of thing. eventually when I reached bandster hell..i had Pasta...not the best choice but i was soooo hungry and it made me feel more full i guess. baked chicken is a really good choice as well. By 4 weeks post op I could eat any food no problem..i just made myself stay under 4 oz..most of the time!! its all a head game i think. you just need to be in control and not let the food control you. oh..i also found that i didnt have a problem with toasted multi grain bread and its really filling. a good Breakfast my surgeon reccomended is half a slice of toast with one scrambled egg! good luck! it sounds like your doing great so far!

Hi all, I was banded on 9/1 and have 4cc's in my 10cc band. I am scheduled for a fill this Weds. My doc usually does 1cc every 2 weeks. I had to wait 3 weeks because my doc was on vacation and will have to wait another 3 weeks because of Thanksgiving. When I spoke to the PA 2 weeks ago on the phone and told him I had absolutely NO restriction(mini breakdown!), he said he would talk to the doc about getting a bit more aggressive with the next fill. I really want to get this thing working but I'm also nervous about an overfill so I'm not sure if I should push the issue of more than 1cc. Any advice from you guys? I know a lot of you have been here. I'm thinking that with absolutely NO restriction, how much of a problem can an extra cc be, but you never know. Thanks!

So today is 3 weeks post op date. I am very glad that I am feeling better every week. The pain from the incision in the right side muscle was almost unbearable the first week and now it only bothers me when sitting too long. I am totally used to burping in-between bites..lol.... not something I ever thought I would be comfrtable with, but it has to be done or food gets stuck. I had a bad weekend of trying new foods, and all feeling stuck. As for the weight loss.... well I feel that I am a slow loser? I can see that lots of people have twice the success as me. I lost 9lbs the first week and 4 since then, nothign since last friday tho. I know that 12lbs is still something to be happy about. I could not even button my pants after surgery because of the iv fluids and gas inside me so at least I feel that I am fitting into my pants with ease. I know that 12lbs in 3 weeks is something I would not have done on my own. I also know that not drinking alcohol or eating late night Snacks would still be happening if I did not have this surgery. It is a shame I could not have adopted this mind set before, as I am still always hungry, so I have been cranky. The worst for me right now is the moods! I am hungry... my dr says it is gas, and ummmmm noooooo it is hunger!! so I am depressed not to be able to fullfill that emtiona need sometimes, and then angry cause I am hungry and feel pain when I eat most of the time, so then angry for putting myself in the position of being so over weight that I had to have surgery and then I feel sad that I have so many restrictions which make it hard to enjoy being out with friends and family as we used to. I am glad I made the choice to do something for me that will help change my life because I know that a year from now i will see this was all worth it. good luck to all on your journey.

If you are able to stay hydrated I say ride it out a bit longer. After I reached my sweet spot I was very tight for 2 weeks then things went well.

Hey guys, I called my doctor yesterday (after 5 days of pain) and she suggested having .5 taken out. So I have, but if this is too little restriction we'll try .2 again in a week or two. Crazy what a different so little makes! BeachBabe - I had 6.5cc, but now have 6. Until my fill to 6.5 I hadn't noticed much restriction, then suddenly there was this massive change!

I think the "sweet spot" has different meanings for different people. For me, I want to be able to eat almost anything (but in a small quantity), not get stuck and not be hungry for 3 hours or so. The way you feel now, is not what you want. Yes, you will lose weight quickly, but then you will start eating soft foods all the time and you won't lose anything. I think your idea to have a small unfill is spot on. Now....your fill was just 4 days ago. I'd give it 2-3 more days before getting the unfill. Sometimes after a fill, I'd swell up for a week. Then the swelling would go done and that fill was great. When I had less restriction the swelling only lasted about 24-48 hours, but later on it really was a week. Good luck, Cindy

I have several questions - seeking input/opinions & answers. I guessed I missed the "why" during pre-op classes...! #1: why no straws? And does this ever change? #2: sugar - why can't we have sugar? And what about things like BBQ sauce, etc. that has sugar - so will I never be able to have frosting or cake or ice cream? #3: my doctor puts his patients on a medicine for three months to help with acid reflux. I've missed it once or twice. The days I take it I feel like I have the problem and days I didn't take it, it felt better. Is that all mental? Would you call your doc about it? #4: I am half way through week five of eating and I have been trying more things, just mashing it up and such. I haven't had any problems. Yet I fear I am overdoing it. Am I crazy? My body would reject it if I was doing harm, right? I've been focused on high Protein only so I am eating healthy and I ca eat about 1/4 cup of food. #5: I have finally hit the wall with my Protein shakes. Can I mix my protein in with fruit and make a smoothie that way? I think I can but I can't help but think I am doing something wrong...! #6: Snacks - I have a busy schedule and travel some and my snacks have been cheese and hard boiled eggs. What do you do? Protein Bars? Thanks for your input!

I felt fairly normal at about 3 weeks out though the incision pain lasted a bit longer than that when I wore jeans or similar to remind me of surgery. It can always hurt to eat or drink if you eat or drink too much and/or too fast. So essentially that one is up to you. If you eat small amounts slowly- you may never experience pain. Feeling full does change. There are different types of full. First is a full signal. Mine was a hiccup that told me I was in for trouble if I kept eating. For many, that signal goes away over time but it still takes a lot less food to feel full physically. Overdoing it can make you sick. Connecting the mental feelings of wanting food with the very real physical feelings of not being able to eat more food can be a challenge. It is important that you follow the portion guidelines that you are given and to stop eating before you are full or overly full whenever possible.

Well after being sleeved in November I had managed to keep things trucking a long really well. No typical 3 week stall, good strong weight loss, etc. Well it's now been 2 weeks since the scale moved. I really can't complain as I am down a lot (over 100lbs) which isn't bad for 4 months out. But I've still got 24lbs to goal and I wanted to get there by my birthday in late May. I know it's still achievable but I really had hoped not to deal with the stalls. Strangely even though I'm 4 months out my sleeve is still pretty tight, I don't think I'm clearing 4 oz per meal, well I know I'm not. Diet is about the same it was 6 or 8 weeks ago when I was still losing pretty rapidly. Honestly I went into this figuring if I even lost 60lbs I would be happy, and I'm well past that. I feel good and look pretty good where I am now, but after cruising along thinking I'm almost to goal it's mildly frustrating.

I did and still do at 4 weeks out. I get frustrated too wondering if it will always be like this. I feel I can eat more often and that is not good. I think I need to get more fluids in though and that might help. Instead of eating when hungry, I should drink. I was like you only a couple of days out, thinking why am I hungry. I read about people on here that are never hungry and the last thing they want to do is eat. Well, I find that I do have an appetite and want to eat. I don't think I have cravings, but when others are eating around me, I do wish that I could have some, but I think because I am not cleared for all foods yet and still eating pretty simple. I hope when I can have all foods that I will stay fuller longer, or I will be kind of upset. I don't want to be eating every 2-3 hours like I do now. But, will do what I have to do. Hang in there!

I did find it strange that on week two I could graduate to watery grits, cream of wheat as long as it was watery, but I won't have them again. I'll stick to just liquids and then week 3 I'm allowed to start having mushies. My pain in shoulder has subsided some but my back pain is still pretty bad sometimes but it has been since my surgery, some say it could still be the gas and then it could be that I had another procedure done at the same time and I was laying on that OR table a long time. Thanks for the responses, I'm taking it one day at a time.

The gas pains were with me for over a week, they will go away soon!!!

Alcohol. When are we able to drink again...obviously I am not talking about getting drunk, but what about a casual drink? I was banded a week ago and I know this is way too soon, but I am a single gal who likes to go out (which probably got me here in the first place, bars and greasy bar food!) and I was curious to find out how long people waited to try a drink again. Melanie

I have recommitted myself. I have an exercise focus. I found a Duathlon (Duathlon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) in my area on Oct 19th. I'm journaling my food . Got to keep a handle on intake. I'm seeing the Dr. on the 9/19, possibly for another fill. Im taking an opportunity to do some volunteer work. Horse therapy. Once a week. I've stated to donate platelets again. Yes life is good.

HI all. Im hearing alot of self bashing going on. Believe me I'm just as hard on myself. I think there is something happening that needs to be looked into. It is a vicious cycle. Scale stops moving, "I must be a failure". Didn't exercise for a few days "I must be a failure". Shouldn't have eaten that cookie "I'm a failure". Im not at goal "I failed" I'm a failure so I might as well; -eat all the other cookies - just lay in bed - sit and watch another mind numbing TV show -look back and beat myself up for all my short comings. Yep the motivation isn't as strong as when we first started this journey. Im not sure I will ever be that motivated again. But to say I'm a failure is just not correct. These last few weeks I've been trying to find my MoJo again. When I have a particularity good day I try to see what made it so good. Why did I bounce out of bed, work so hard with my trainer, take the dog for a walk and go to yoga class? Plus I made good food choices. So what gives? Is there a way to bottle this and reproduce it on the days Im just not getting it in gear? Because when Im at that place where I don't want to move my body or the peanut butter is looking really good willpower is out the door. It is really easy to say F it I'm just not meant to lose another 10lbs (or 1lb). So Im left to try to acknowledge what works. Really mindfully acknowledge that something is going right. Maybe even write myself notes of encouragement to the sorry self I might be the next day. Focus on the good. We all know what we are bad at. What is hard. Directing your energy to trying to figure out a negative will just keep you in that negative place. So why not find what you're good at and build on that. Do you work out more consistently with another person? Well make it your business to get a buddy or join a group. Do you need to make a commitment to something? Do a charity walk where they have training help. Like the Avon 3 Day Walk. Does telling your story about the band and your decision to get it remind you why you did this in the first place? Than offer to talk at your Drs support group or informational meeting. Be a mentor here on LBT. Do you do well with a list or goals? Than write a few and support them with an action plan of how you will succeed. Do you struggle with food choices? Start using The Daily Plate/Calorie King or whatever. Set yourself up with a menu for the next day or the whole week. Make a list before you go shopping, and stick to it. You get the idea. Find what works. Baby steps. Stop beating yourself up about what you haven't done. Be kind to yourself. -Since I choose not to have another cookie I feel empowered. -That walk yesterday really energized me, how can I fit in another one tomorrow? -I have come so far on my journey and Im still committed to a more healthy lifestyle. We all slip up. Sometimes for a day sometimes for a few weeks. Main thing is you have it within yourself to make the change. For Gods sake at some point you were motivated enough to get the band. Pat yourself on the back and shout "WooHoo!" Move forward. Tomorrow is a new day. I think you're doing a great job!!